Mamiya Noobie questions.

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Submitted By: kl0an

Location: Alaska

Joined: Dec 31 2005

Posts:

Mamiya Noobie questions.

Posted: December 31, 2005 - 11:54pm

Hey all, great to find an active forum for the old Mamiya 645's. I just recieved one from my Dad today and I've got a couple of questions.

Why is there an F-Stop in the viewfinder as well as the camera body itself? Is there something I need to know?? I would think you'd want them both to be the same.

What are you guys and gals mainly using for film backs? Mine came with a pair of 120 backs. I know there are 220 and polaroid backs but the polaroid seems quite high.

Any ideas for a survival kit in my camera bag for this camera?? I'll primarily be using it in the remote villages that I travel to throughtout Alaska and I'd hate for it to go down because of a bad contact or dead battery.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Paul

Submitted By: TCrowe

Joined: Dec 3 2005

Posts:

Re: Mamiya Noobie questions.

Posted: January 27, 2006 - 1:37pm

Welcome to the world of Medium Format. What model Mamiya did you receive? If you have an f stop in the viewfinder I would assume that yours is a newer model. Auto focus?

Survival kit. Take 2 spare batteries of each type you need. Take a bulb air brush. Take a STURDY and padded camera bag. Take a tri or mono pod. Decide what you are going to shoot; color or B and W and take a lot of rolls. 20 at least. Use 120 so you can always have the option to change film speeds. Put a UV or Haze filter on each lens to protect the front element while traveling. Remove it for shooting.

Questions? Just reply to this post.

Submitted By: kl0an

Location: Alaska

Joined: Dec 31 2005

Posts:

Re: Mamiya Noobie questions.

Posted: February 11, 2006 - 2:09am

Thanks for the reply TCrowe, sorry for the slow reply, I've been out in the bush for most of January. I'm not 100% sure what model it is. It has a 1000 shutter speed but, also a J in the serial number. The F-stop is on the viewfinder as well as the camera body. From what I've been reading I need to set the one on the body to a red dot position and just use the one on the viewfinder. No autofocus, I don't really want that. I picked up a 210mm lens so I don't have to get that close to the wildlife. I'd just like to capture them on film, not intrude on thier world. Still looking for a wideangle to round out the set. Might come across a 2x converter to help that 210 lens a bit as well. Just have to keep looking.

As for film I prefer black and white myself. I've got a good bit of a collection now. Also have 2ea 120 backs which will help get the pictures. I've got a monopod and it doubles as a walkin stick when I'm climbing around out in the tundra or on the side of a mountain.

Thanks for the advice.

Paul
Anchorage, AK